We caught up with the breeder of the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2024 California Youth Expo. We invite you to read our candid interview with Johnston Club Lambs below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Truce x The Chief
What is one thing you still want to accomplish as a breeder?
It’s been encouraging to see the progress we have achieved without straying from the path we believe in, but we still want to see a win at a Texas or Midwest major!
Favorite show ring trend?
Prioritizing build has been good to see!
Favorite industry sire of all time?
No right answer here; if you leave out Burn, DTM, Caesar, Trigger, Stud Duck, etc. I think you are probably kidding yourself! Personal favorite that I feel is entirely underrated would be Fowl. His female presence is still seen nationwide if you take the time to trace back female lines.
Most influential female in your flock? Why?
We are fortunate to have every sheep in our Dorset flock go back to two females, so that would be the easy answer there. This has helped us tremendously with creating uniform, quality Dorsets.
For the blackfaces, there are a few. Descendants of Larry Bird’s mom, our Fancy donor, and our Keisha donor all can be found in just about every winner we have made.
Favorite show animal you’ve ever seen?
She flew under the radar a little bit, but the Reserve Cross this year that Farao consigned at Reno was absolutely spectacular. As a breeding piece for her to have the shape and freak build she does while being clean was a first for me. Happy to say we own her with Fisher Club Lambs!
